Well, we certainly can see that it is white anyway.

Probably Gardenia - look up a picture of that and see.

I wasn't able to post image correctly before. let's hope it works now since I posted it on FB>

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150235818319706&set=a.71140474705.69324.850049705&type=1&theater

Here is a link that might be useful: my facebook> image

Your facebook link requires a membership sign in....try again :-) Uploading to a free public photo hosting site - like Photobucket - then linking to that may be a better plan.

Gardenia probably a bit iffy for NY. Taking a WAG that the shrub in question is mock orange, Philadelphus.

Here is a link that might be useful: does it look like this?

I was able to see your picture, probably because I have an FB account. The leaves look similar to a gardenia (which you probably don't have in NY gardens), laurel (the leaves in your picture are wider than my laurel, but could be a different type?), or camellia, but the flowers certainly don't. Could it be an English Laurel? I don't know much about those and I don't think I have ever seen one.

privet just started blooming in my z5 ... incredible.. on a yellow leafed plant ...

i cant do FB..

check out the link ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

It was difficult for me to add an image link.

try this Picasa link>
https://picasaweb.google.com/yanvil/Garden?authkey=Gv1sRgCJushNaI-_H10QE

Here is a link that might be useful: Picasa

I thought mock orange too, but I don't think so. Here, I put it in my photobucket account to post it:

{{gwi:262470}}

Maybe Ken's right.

KarinL

thanks for responding, this is a mystery. The smell is like heavenly honey.

Yup, it's privet. Do an image search, you'll see some pictures up close.

KarinL

I am one of those who can barely tolerate the stink of privet flowers. Truly, it makes me want to cover my nose, lol.

When I was teaching Plant ID courses, and doing walk-abouts, I determined that more than 50% of the students had the same reaction. Others really liked it and still others were ambivalent.

If it is Chinese Privet, that is considered highly invasive around here and is something to remove. Not sure about in your area. Too bad because it is pretty.

hehehehe ...

even a blind nut can find a squirrel once in a while ...

ken

That is not chinese privet, probably Ligustrum vulgare.
Still it is considered invasive (by seed) in some areas of the northeastern US. It invades natural areas and outcompetes native vegetation.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to invasive details